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Wednesday, October 8, 2008

I'm officially registered to vote in the Nov. election.Ever since I turned 18, I've always made it a point to register to vote. It's been a priority.This became especially true after taking my political science classes in college - if you're going to minor in it, ya better at least vote! (Thanks Annetta St. Clair and Tom Simpson for being such great role models).

I'm not sure who I'll vote for in the Nov. elections....I'll just say a quiz I took (blind quotes) through ABC News put me 8 to 5 - almost split down the middle depending upon which candidate said what.

Some days I like candidate a, other days candidate b says something or does something that surprises me and I say "hum."

I will vote in November, because it's important to who I am. I still believe one vote can make a difference in a sea of uncertainty.

My friends, however, don't all share my opinions (which is ok....this is not a slam, but rather a snapshot of our generation I think).

One set of friends, working overseas, are waiting for their absentee ballots - hoping that they will come in time to vote. These same friends are also scowering the net for news about the election....the friends, whom shall remain nameless, stayed up REALLY late their time, to listen (on the radio) to the vp debate. It would be really easy to be ex-pats and just let things "happen." But instead, they are making time to vote. It's important.

Another friend, whom I love dearly, is not voting/registering for the election. Life is dumping a bit on this friend and trying to get registered was just "one more thing" on a lengthy to-do list.This friend - a well educated, middle class late 30s/early 40s person - has a deeper reason though.

This friend (notice no gender reference...lol...) feels like his/her vote doesn't really matter. That it's just politics as usual. That what the candidates say before the election never really transfer to "reality." This friend is frustrated. "Am I part of the electoral college" is his/her response to my plea that his/her vote really is important.

His/Her take on the recent debates is just as poignant - "They are basically standing up there like little kids trading 'I'm right' 'no, I'm right' 'no, this is how you are wrong.'" My friend is waiting for both candidates to actually say something that matters.

I still believe in America and I still believe voting matters.But like most of my friends - yes, we're the "aging" Gen-X'ers, we're tired of the establishment. We want to see a change, we want to make a difference - we're just not sure what we've been given (our voting options) will really do that.

How will I vote in November? I'm not sure. Can we go back to the old system where the candidate who got the most votes became president, and the other, vice president? It worked for John Adams....can it work again?

1 comment:

I've voted in every major election since I was 18. I alwasy say that if you dont' vote, you give up your right to complain about the government.

The only person I will discuss politics with is Tim. I hate political arguments, because, well, they are arguments. Most people cannot remain level headed in a political discussion. Except you, of course ;-)